The Amazing Story of Sameri | Alireza Panahian

The Amazing Story of Sameri

The Children of Israel were suffering the worst tribulations according to the verses of the Qur’an. Moses, the son of Imran, rescued them from all their miseries, according to the verses of the Qur’an. The most miracles descended for this nation, according to the verses of the Qur’an. When else has a prophet come to rescue a group, then destroyed all their enemies in the sea at once?! And, so easily!

Our Prophet (s) fought for many years. Many people were martyred. Prophet Noah (a) preached for 950 years, but the people didn’t accept him. However, Prophet Moses (a) rescued them and destroyed their enemies in one or two years time. The people were so comfortable! The rest weren’t like this.

The Nile River was opened with a staff, “You may pass.” They needed water, “Use the staff! Don’t worry.” The water flowed. They asked for food from the skies. They asked for a special menu! These have been written in the Qur’an. “We can’t eat lentils every day. What about beans?” Then, they reached a place. “Wait till I bring the Torah, the book of God, for you." “Go ahead.” Moses (a) went to bring the Torah, to teach them a way of life. How many miracles did they need to see from a prophet?

Then, when Moses wasn’t around, suddenly a man named Sameri caused the people to worship a cow in the presence of Aaron, the successor and brother of Prophet Moses (a). Amazing! Prophet Moses (a) came. “Aaron what were you doing? Why are they worshiping a cow?” This is very strange! This is impossible! How could people forget all these miracles just like that? But, it happened. See. Think about the story.

The Prophet of God (s) said, “In the same way that Prophet Moses’s nation had a Sameri, my nation has a Sameri too.” Really? Who is the Sameri of your nation so that from him we can distinguish who is the new one? Or, perhaps that whole story was for us to be able to understand what is happening here. The Prophet (s) said, “The slogan of the Sameri of Moses’s nation was, 'Don’t touch me.’ The Sameri of my nation says, ‘No war.’” They talk against the culture of resistance. Their names have been mentioned in history. One is Abu Musa Ash’ari. They talk about not resisting. The culture of not resisting and being against it, is the culture of the Sameri of this nation.

Sameri is very talented. He uses certain parts of religion. You see that whatever he says is based on religion. He speaks about morality. It is subtle. He has only removed “resistance.” If you remove the string from rosary beads, they will fall apart. You will certainly witness that they will remove the part about resistance from Imam Husayn (a) and the culture of Ashura in the future. They will delete fighting with oppression from Imam Husayn (a) and the culture of Ashura. What will remain of Ashura? Only affection and liking.

Those who don't want to teach us resistance, don't want us to enjoy struggling, don't want us to see beautiful fighting, and don't want us to see fighting fairly along with morality. They want to distance us from fighting for us to be like sheep. Sheep don’t fight. They are busy with their grass.

Some of the movies, which are about the 8-Year Holy Defense, are actually against the war and resistance. They are preaching compromise. Imam Ali, “Surely fighting is one of the doors of Paradise, which God has opened only for His dear Friends.” (Nahj al-Balaghah, Sermon no. 27) It isn’t open to all of God’s Friends. It’s only open for His special Friends.

Friends, if we increase our resistance a little, God willing our Imam will come! What does Imam Mahdi (‘a.j.) want? People who resist. Those who want to distance us from fighting, want us to be like sheep. The culture of not resisting and being against it, is the culture of the Sameri of this nation. What does Imam Mahdi (‘a.j.) want? People who resist.

[From the series of speeches under the topic of, “The Culture and Art of Resistance."]